UV-18A Twin Otter
Overview
The UV-18A 'Twin Otter' is the military version of the DeHavilland DHC-6 with optional float and ski fittings. The aircraft have crew and passenger oxygen systems and a navigation/communication package which gives it an all-weather capability. It has a cruise speed of 150 knots, a service ceiling of 25,000 feet and a range of 700 miles. Designed to replace DHC-3, DHC-6 made its first flight on May 20, 1965. This general-purposed civil and military transport, used by regional airlines in Alaska and other areas with short or rough runways, entered production early in 1966. By September 1982, over 800 DHC-6 were built, and by the end of production in 1988 a total of 844 aircraft were built for various military and commercial customers. Airlift support for the US Air Force Academy cadet parachuting program is provided by three UV-18B aircraft which carry a pilot, copilot and up to 17 jumpers. These Twin Otters are the only three owned by the Air Force. In the MSAG Antenna Test and Evaluation conducted 25-31 August 1998 in Marina CA, the NPS/CIRPAS UV-18A Twin Otter provided the surrogate UAV function during a test and evaluation of the MSAG ITT Antenna under development by the Joint Projects Office. Imagery from the Twin Otter was received by the multi- source capable antenna based at the CIRPAS facility in Marina. In the Alaska Army National Guard the UV-18As have been replaced by the C-23B+.
Specifications
|
| Contractor |
de Havilland Canada |
| Crew |
1-2 |
| Wingspan |
19.8 m |
| Length |
15.1 m |
| Height |
5.7 m |
| Wing area |
39.0 sq. m |
| Empty weight |
2654 kg |
| Takeoff weight |
4761 kg |
| Engines |
2 x Pratt & Whitney of Canada PT6-27, 652 hp each |
| Max. speed |
343 km/h |
| Cruise speed |
297 km/h |
| Speed Range |
65-165 KIAS |
| Cruise ceiling |
3050 m |
| Ceiling |
25,000 ft. (Oxygen installed) |
| Rate of Climb |
1600 fpm, typical |
| Range with maximum payload |
200 km |
| Endurance - Maximum |
| Altitude |
Airspeed |
Fuel Burn (lbs/hr) |
Endurance (hrs) |
| Sea Level |
120 kts |
480 |
4.2 |
| 5,000' |
120 kts |
460 |
4.3 |
| 10,000' |
120 kts |
440 |
4.4 |
|
| Endurance - Maximum |
>12 Hour Missions with Extended Fuel Tank |
| Payload |
20 passengers or 1045 kg of payload |
| Payload |
4500 lbs. |
| Power Available |
>4200 W |
| Communications |
VHF, UHF, HF, UHF/FM |
| Avionics |
Tacan, GPS, VHF/UHF Homing |
| Unit Cost |
$2,000,000 |
Sources and Resources
A9EA, Rev 10 Type Certificate Data Sheet - Federal Aviation Administration
